Barbara Jean Loar

The DeKalb County Library system doubled in size after passage of a 1986 bond issue to renovate and expand the central library in Decatur and build eleven new branch libraries throughout the county. The expansion of the library system was the crowning accomplishment among many for the former DeKalb County Executive Director, Barbara Loar, who died on Sunday, December 22, at age 87, at her home in the Embry Hills neighborhood. In 1997, the branch library on LaVista Road was named the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library. Among her many other honors, Mrs. Loar was named DeKalb Woman of the Year, Georgia Librarian of the Year, and 2002 Georgia Mother of Year. Former Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker was a DeKalb County Public Library Trustee in 1983 and was instrumental in securing a favorable vote on the bond referendum. Mr. Baker said of her, Barbara Loar was the dean of public libraries in Georgia. Through her vision, access to books and education was never seen as a barrier, but an opportunity to learn and grow as a human being. After retirement, Mrs. Loar was active in literacy efforts in Georgia, in the Alpha Delta Kappa honorary society, and in traveling with her many friends. Mrs. Loar previously was an Associate Command Librarian for the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Library Science degree from the University of Denver. Mrs. Loar grew up in Monroe, Louisiana. She is survived by her two sons, Conde Cox (Patricia Bowcock) of Portland, Oregon, and Prentiss Cox (Marisa Katz) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, by four step-children, including Dr. Michael Loar (Lori) of Denver, Colorado, and by three grandchildren, Bess Stubenhaus, Devon Cox and Hallie Cox of Minneapolis, Minnesota. A reception honoring the life of Barbara Loar will be held on Monday, December 30, 2013 at the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library from 12:30-2:30. A brief memorial service will be conducted at 1:00.

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033